You hadn’t even wanted to go to the Outer Banks in the first place.

Two weeks in a beach town with your sister and her husband sounded… like hell.

Your sister didn’t want you there either. She made that clear the moment your parents forced her to take you along. They said it would be “good for you”. Sun, beaches, fresh air— the perfect summer.

But the truth? From the moment you arrived, you were invisible. Your sister was wrapped up in her husband, leaving you to wander alone.

It was on one of those aimless evenings, standing barefoot in the sand as the waves crept up to your toes, that you met Rafe Cameron.

Tall, tan, with that easy smirk like he already knew all your secrets. He wasn’t supposed to be part of your trip. But somehow, he became the only thing you looked forward to.

It started small— casual conversations, teasing banter. Then came the late-night walks. The way his hand brushed yours in the dark. Stolen kisses under a sky full of stars, and… well, many other things.

You weren’t in a relationship. It wasn’t serious, just a fling.

A summer fling.

And when you left, it ended as quickly as it started. You didn’t exchange numbers. You didn’t promise to call. Just a smile, a wave, and a memory you thought you’d keep tucked away.

Back home, life returned to normal… until it didn’t.

At first, you ignored the signs— tiredness, nausea, a missing period. But when they wouldn’t stop, you bought the test.

Two lines. Positive. Your hands shook as you stared at it.

You didn’t have his number. You didn’t even know how to find him. But you knew one thing for sure— you were carrying Rafe Cameron’s baby.

And now you were sitting in your bed, your eyes fixed on the screen of your laptop, where you were searching for cheap airline tickets.